After its cringingly bad opening refrain I settle quickly into thinking I can enjoy ‘Diversity’, which is quickly at its best at power electronics 101 on the title-track, laying down classic undulating synth thickly and unapologetically.
But with that crudely enjoyable barrage out of the way, “Diversity” struggles to maintain the baleful manner which came with it, the higher register synth work lifting the pillow and dissipating the effect of the piece. The wayward vocals (if that’s what they are) toward the end are also ineffectual, skittering across the piece with no sharper edge or increase in affront.
The second side tries various elements to bolster the core synth and distortion arsenal, but more misses any proper atmosphere than finds it; only “Divide For Zion” is effective as its hovering synth and callous rhythmic thud invokes the best of early 00s acts like Sektion B. The remainder plays like explorations rather than intentions, experimentations to be left alone given they break the cloudy tone which those couple of strong (if now well-worn) tranches achieve.
My initial rise in confidence was short lived; ‘Diversity’ pays no attention to maintaining mood, and is an uneven experience as a result. The impenetrable titles and artwork, and diffuse choice of samples, also give no purpose or consistency to the cassette, leaving it patchy and confusing – and ultimately avoidable.
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